Trunk-strap



No. 6'll,255. Patented Sept. 27,1898.

A. T. JONES, T. B; SMITH 8L6. NILSSON. TRUNK STRAP.

(Application filed Nov. 29, 1897.)

(No Model.)

WITNESSES 1. V VE/VI '0525 UNTTED STATES PATENT Genres.

ALFRED T. JONES, THOMAS B. SMITH, AND CARL NILSSON, OF POOATELLO, IDAHO.

TRUNK-STRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 611,255, dated September 27, 1898. Application filed N vember 29, 1897. Serial No. 660,125. (No model.)

. it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in metal trunk-straps; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out particularly in the claims.

The object of the invention is to provide a metal trunk-strap of joined sections in which the arrangement is such as to permit of the adjustment of said sections to accommodate various sizes of trunks, and a further arrangement whereby the strap may be made to conform closely to the corners of the trunk and the tightening-lever of the strap is made simple and efficient in its operation. This object is attained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view showing by stipple lines a trunk having our improved strap placed thereon. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the meeting ends of the strap and the device for locking same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through one of the adjustable sections. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of the locking-lever and the strap-section in which it engages. Fig. 5 is a perspective of the meeting ends of the parts forming one of the adjustable sections of the strap.

Referring to the lettersof reference, A desi gnates a series of sections of the strap,for1ned of two separate straps or and b, united at their overlapping ends by means of a T-shaped tongue 0 on the end of strap a, which is adapted to enter one of a series of keyhole-shaped openings 6 in the end of strap 1), the tongue 0 being entered in said apertures with the strap a at right angles to the strap 1), when the strap a is turned so as to stand parallel with strap Z7, causing the T extensions of the tongue 0 to engage the opposite sides of the opening e in the strap-section b in which said tongue is entered, by which arrangement the length of any one of the strap-sections A may be increased or decreased, according to the size of the trunk upon which the strap is placed. 61 designates the sliding collar, carried by the straps a and adapted to slip over the ends of the meeting straps b, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, to assist in retaining said straps in alinement when properly adjusted. There are three of these adjustable sections A of the strap proper, which are united at their ends by means of malleable links B, preferably of copper, which will shape themselves to the corners of the trunk around which the strap is passed and permit the strap to lie closely thereto. 7

The locking-section of the strap consists of a single section C, united to one of the sec' tions A by means of the link 13, said section 0 carrying upon its free end a lever D,which is provided with a staple f, through which the end of the section 0 is passed and folded onto itself to pivotally attach the lever thereto. On the pivoted end of said lever are two engaging points or lugs h, which are adapted to'engage in a series of apertures 2', formed in the upper portion of a double strap-section E, which is looped through a link B of one of the sections A and overlaps the end of the section 0, lying under said section 0, so as to bring the aperture 11 therein to register with the engaging points It on the lever D,

whereby by raising the free end of the lever In case spring is, which is secured to the under face of the section 0, the free end of which is adapted to engage in the aperture i in the section E as the section G is drawn forward by the operation of the lever and hold said section from backward movement while said lever is again set ahead by a succeeding operation. The lower portion of the double section E lies immediately below the aperture i in the upper portion thereof and protects the trunk from the points h of said lever which pass through said apertures.

To provide a means for locking the strap when properly secu red around the trunk there is employed a sliding collar L, which is movably mounted upon the upper portion of the section E of the strap and is adapted to slide over the extended end 0 of said lever when in a horizontal position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and retains said lever in this position, said collar being held in place by the bow M of a padlock which is passed through an aperture .9 in the end of said lever back of said collar, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, whereby the strap proper is securely retained in position around the trunk and can only be removed by unlocking the padlock N.

A serious objection to metal trunk-straps heretofore made has been due to the inability to adjust the sections of said strap to the various sizes of trunks without danger of weakening the strap bya continued bending and straightening thereof, so as to cause it to break when used but a few times. By means of our improved construction as herein shown the various sections of the strap may be adjusted to the square of the trunk, so as to always insure a perfect fitting of the strap around the corners, and by means of malleable or yielding links connecting such ad justable sections the strap is always caused to lie closely to the trunk, enabling it to be drawn securely in place.

Having thus fully set forth our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A trunk-strap consisting of three sec tions united by links permanently secured in the ends thereof, each of said sections consisting of two overlapping pieces adjustably united by a tongue-and-slot connection, and a locking-section consisting of two parts, one of which carrying an engaging locking-lever and the other part a series of apertures in which the points of said lever engage.

2. A trunk-strap consisting of a series of adjustable sections flexibly united by coupling-links, a locking-section consisting of one part having a springdetent depending therefrom, a lever carrying a staple to which the free end of said .part is pivoted, said lever having lugs projecting therefrom below said point of pivot, a complementary section consisting of a perforated part lying under said part carrying the locking-lever having a series of apertures on opposite sides which registerv with the lugs of the locking-lever and adapted to be engaged by said detent, and the lock for securing said lever when in horizontal position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED '1. JONES. THOMAS E. SMITH. CARL NILSSON.

lVitnesses:

GEo. D. HILL, E. N. EWING. 

